Faecal contamination and visual clarity in New Zealand rivers: correlation of key variables affecting swimming suitability.

Swimming is a popular activity in Aotearoa-New Zealand (NZ). Two variables that strongly influence swimming suitability of waters are faecal contamination, as indicated by the bacterium Escherichia coli, and visual clarity as it affects aesthetics and safety with respect to submerged hazards. We show that E.

First report of homoanatoxin-a and associated dog neurotoxicosis in New Zealand.

In November 2005, at least five dogs died rapidly after contact with water from the Hutt River (lower North Island, New Zealand). Necropsy performed 24h later on one of the dogs (a 20-month-old Labrador) revealed few findings of interest, except for copious amounts of froth in the respiratory tract down to the bifurcation of the trachea and large quantities of algal material in the dog's stomach. Low and relatively stable flows in the Hutt River during spring had resulted in the proliferation of benthic cyanobacteria that formed large black/brown mats along the river edge.